HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2017-11-16 - TMC 18.54 TREE REGULATIONS WORK SESSIONTO:
City of Tukwila
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
Tukwila Planning Commission
FROM: Carol Lumb, Senior Planner
Andrea Cummins, Urban Environmentalist
DATE: November 6, 2017
SUBJECT: TMC 18.54, Tree Regulations Update
ISSUE
Update the City's tree regulations, found in TMC 18.54, to implement new urban forestry
Comprehensive Plan goals and policies.
BACKGROUND
The current tree regulations were adopted 22 years ago in 1995, with minor Zoning Code
revisions in recent years. Recognizing the sensitive nature of the policy decisions to balance
environmental quality, property rights, aesthetics and natural functions, the Council developed a
three-phase process to update this code, as well as the landscaping code, as follows:
Phase 1: Tree and Environment Advisory Committee: team of Tukwila residents, business
and professional experts, and Planning Commission and City Council representatives
appointed to guide development of goals and policies on the natural environment and urban
forestry. Committee met from September, 2012 to May, 2013 and provided
recommendations to the Planning Commission.
Phase 2: Update of the Natural Environment Element of the Comprehensive Plan
incorporating the new policy direction from the Advisory Committee: Planning Commission
and City Council review and adoption of the revised Natural Environment Element, June to
December, 2013.
Phase 3: Using the Advisory Committee process again, revise landscape and tree
regulations in the Zoning Code to implement the Comprehensive Plan. The landscaping
regulation changes were approved by the City Council in March, 2017. The current effort to
update the tree regulations will complete work on implementing the Comprehensive Plan
urban forestry goals and policies.
DISCUSSION
The Tree and Environment Committee re -convened in late September, 2107 to assist with the
initial review of draft changes to the tree regulations found in TMC 18.54 and to review revisions
to existing definitions in the Zoning Code and proposed new terms that relate to trees and
landscaping, particularly the goal establishing tree canopy percentages for all zoning districts in
the City.
The Committee completed its work on November 1, 2017 and is forwarding proposed revisions
to TMC 18.54 and revisions to the Zoning Code Definitions Chapter, TMC 18.06 for the
Planning Commission's review.
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
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No change is proposed to the size of a significant tree, which is four inches in diameter,
measured at breast height (DBH) or the number of trees that can be removed from a single-
family lot, which is four (4) in a three-year period as long as the trees are between 4-8" in
diameter.
Among the code changes recommended by the Advisory Committee are:
• A no -fee Tree Inventory Survey for the removal of 1-4 trees on a single-family property
improved with a single-family dwelling. This will allow the City to track the number of
trees removed each year to gauge whether the Comprehensive Plan goal of maintaining
47% tree canopy in single-family residential is being met.
• No tree removal on vacant lots prior to approval of a development proposal.
• Removal of more than 4 trees in a 3 -year period would require a permit (fee required)
and possibly an arborist's report, and replacement either on-site or payment into the tree
fund. This is the same as the current code, except for requiring an arborist report at the
Director's discretion.
• As part of development such as a short plat or subdivision, tree protection is required for
trees that are retained. Trees that are removed must be replaced based on a sliding
scale based on the tree canopy lost.
• Alterations may be required to the layout of development to preserve trees on-site (this
same language is found in the shoreline regulations).
• Exceptional trees, those over 18 -inches DBH, cannot be removed without an arborist
report and a tree permit. Replacement at the appropriate ratio would be required.
• A Heritage Tree program is proposed to recognize trees that are exceptional in size, or
have historical significance to the community etc. The property owner must agree to the
designation of a Heritage Tree for a tree on their property.
• Similar to the landscaping code — the violations section is expanded and penalties are
proposed for the removal of trees without a permit
• The Tree Replacement Fund is codified and uses of funds specified.
RECOMMENDATION
This memorandum and the accompanying work session sets the stage for the public hearing
that will be held on December 14, 2017 on the proposed revisions.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Draft revisions to Definitions, TMC 18.06 in strikeout/underline format showing staff
proposed changes and Advisory Committee revisions.
B. Draft revisions to TMC 18.54, Tree Regulations, in Strikeout/Underline form. This
version shows the current Chapter 18.54 with both staff proposed changes and Advisory
Committee changes.
C. Draft revisions to TMC 18.54, Tree Regulations, with the staff proposed changes
accepted, Advisory Committee revisions shown in strikeout/underline.
D. Current TMC 18.54.
E. Urban Forestry Comprehensive Plan Goals and Policies.
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